Natalie Salazar Perches

Natalie Dolores Salazar Perches was born April 9th, 1945 in San Jacinto, California, to Eleanor Faustina Salazar. She and her siblings grew up in Arlington (Riverside) and would often visit Pechanga Reservation to see family. She had two sisters named Margaret and Mary, two brothers named Rudy and Ray, and a half sister named Francis. In 1973, she married Francisco Perches and had a total of four sons; Francisco, Gilberto, Miguel, and René. After raising her boys as a single mom, she was joyfully rewarded with a total of 19 grandchildren! Natalie always worked hard in her life for her boys. She held many jobs including working at an egg farm, manufacturing at Rama, caring for elderly as a CNA, and finally retired as a Supervisor at Pechanga. She had plenty of other jobs in between. Her family was her driving force! She was known for her kind heart and would do anything for her family. She was quietly fierce, but was a lion when it came to her boys. They truly were her first loves. She was graceful in stressful situations; never a negative word. She was always forgiving. She had a kind heart and an open door for anyone in need. In times of heartache, she persevered and she remained strong for her family. She had an honest smile. If she was happy it would light up a room! She loved to gamble and had fun doing it. Many family gatherings involved BINGO. It was a must! She was great cook. Her family shares many memories of her making cookies and tamales with her kids and her grandkids. She made amazingly fresh tortillas that were always gobbled up. After she retired, she loved traveling with the Silver Feathers and enjoyed all the opportunities they had on those trips. However, she was always glad to get back home to family. She enjoyed being part of the Silver Feather community so much, she actually served on the “Special Events Committee” for eight years. She took pride in the organizing and planning of the holiday parties, usually enlisting the help of one of her sons or her granddaughter, to help with the events. She was very proud of her tribe and its successes, and she could throw a good party! She absolutely loved Christmas. It was her favorite holiday and everyone looked forward to her tamales and her famous Christmas cookies. She spoiled her family with unending love and it is now up to newer generations to keep those family traditions strong. Natalie is preceded in death by her older beloved sister Margaret Chavez, younger brothers Rudy and Ray Dominquez, the father of her children Fransisco Perches, and her youngest son René. She is survived by her younger sister Mary Chacon, her half sister Francis Miranda, and her sons Francisco Perches, Gilberto Perches, and Miguel Perches. She is also survived by her nineteen grand children; Felicia, Angelica, Miguel jr.(Mikey), Monique, Violet, Alexandria, Melonie, Rose, Gilbert jr., Zavier, Azalea, Zacharias, Daisy Dee, Declan, Fiona, Serafina, René jr., and the twins Zyan and Zander. She also leaves behind her nieces and nephews and her many friends and cousins as well. She was much loved and will desperately be missed...